Testimonials

You guys are awesome, thank you so much for looking after Taruni. - Sue from Greenbank

Amazing staff & services!- Susan from Beaudesert

Thank you so much for coming out to stitch my poor horse up this morning! It is the second time that I have had to call and get someone out and the service has been wonderful...and my horse is looking and feeling a lot better. - Jennie from Cedar Grove

Dr David Barthomomuez is brilliant. Yes I am totally biased but it is based on my experience over the last 6 wks with my mare Rivver. Treatment is still on going and I get the pleasure of picking David's brain for lots of horsey info when he does his weekly visit! I am very impressed with the way David handles and treats my mare, he genuinely cares. The girls in the office have also been wonderful to deal with. Keep up the great work team Vevs! - Cindi from Tamborine Village

"Thank you for your after-care service, I am very very impressed to say the least. The phone call from you today following up on my horses progress has won my business."

"Thanks to Dr David for helping my old man feel better... I would recommend this veterinary clinic to anyone, and I wouldn't use any other vet."

-Nelly from Munruben

"I cannot fault their willingness to assist you as soon as possible, their capacity to prioritise so the most urgent animals are attended to quickly, their gentle way with horses, their knowledge and their reasonable prices..." - Sharon from Cedar Grove

"Thanks so much to Dr Dave and the team for all your hard work with getting Karrie in foal!!! We are very grateful and couldn't have done it without you guys!" - Lynette from Logan Village

"Your patience and gentle nature were greatly appreciated by both of us. Thank you." - Karen from Jimboomba

"Our family would like to give a big thank you and hug to Dr David, Kelly & all the team at Veresdale Equine Veterinary Services for saving our dog sid from a brown snake bite. Without their caring services I dont think sid would of made it, thanks guys. " - Hurchalla Family

"David and his team treat their client’s animals as if they were their own and have helped me and my horses in some very stressful situations over the years, thankfully, always with a excellent outcome!" - Toni from Jimboomba

"Thank you so much for the extra good care you took of Lilly ... I’ve always been extremely happy with Dave as our vet, I think he truly does a wonderful job, and you can really see how much he cares.” - Tania Banek

"The fact that Dave has been my vet for many years speaks volumes. Dave has a very nice manner and deals with the horses in a calm and kind way. He always takes time to explain options and procedures and to advise on what he considers to be the best course of treatment." - Gillian Coote

"Although we may have moved, we would not consider using any other veterinarian other than David to care for our horses." – Brett and Danielle from Wonglepong

"David has been my vet now for several years. Over that time with the highs and lows of my veterinary needs, David has always been compassionate, caring and friendly." - Marnie Wilmott

Ticks and Horses

Most adult local horses have built up a resistance to ticks. Ticks affect foals and young horses more severely as well as immune-compromised older horses. Miniature horses may be more sensitive due to their size but usually build up a resistance over time. Horses which have been introduced to the area may not have built up a resistance to the local ticks and may also be at risk of a bad reaction.

There are many species of ticks. The ones which can harm your horse are usually paralysis ones. The major symptoms of paralysis tick infestation are weakness and/or wobbliness, breathing difficulties, falling or; lying down, off their feed, or off-colour in any way..

Because of these symptoms, the deadly Hendra Virus could be mistaken for Tick paralysis. That is why if such symptoms are showing, even if they appear mild, call your vet immediately!

Treatment for horses badly affected by tick paralysis is expensive due to the cost of the tick antitoxin and possible intensive care. Early detection and veterinary treatment can lead to a more favorable prognosis.

If you find a tick on your horse and the horse appears to not be at all affected or unwell, you can pull the tick straight off. Dr Dave usually twists the tick 180 degrees, then pulls it straight out. This helps to unhook the tick’s oral barbs, hopefully reducing the risk of leaving a head. Occasionally leaving the head can result in infection. Associated minor swelling from a tick can be reduced via icing or cold water therapy.

Although it is very difficult to prevent tick infestation entirely, you can do the following to reduce your horses risk:

Keep grass low

Spray with something like permoxin as frequently as the label directs. Be very careful with the toxicity of some treatments. Cattle sprays in particular can harm your horse because cows are more resistant to organophosphates.

Try rugging or flynets

Check your horses all over everyday. Giving them a nice brush is an excellent way to do this, as it makes you go over all areas. Plus there’s the added bonus of a beautiful coat and increasing skin circulation. Most ticks prefer softer tissues so the groin, ‘armpits’, bellies and around the face are often tick hot-spots.